Semi-elliptic spring



(No Model.)

B. CLIFF. SEMI-ELLIPTIG SPRING.

No. 474,169. Patented May 3, 1892;.

iNVE'NTOR:

WITNESSES:-

ATTORNEYS.

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UNITED STATES PATENT ()rrrcn.

EDI/VARD CLIFF, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

SEMI-ELLIPTIC SPRING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 474,159, dated May 3,1892. Application filed December 1, 1891. Serial No. 413,713. (Nomodel.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD CLIFF, of Newark, in the county of Essex, inthe State of New Jersey, have invented new and useful Improvements inSemi-Elliptic and Analogous Springs, of which the following, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exactdescription.

This invention relates to the class of springs which are composed oflaminated elongated leaves such as the so-called semi-elliptic andsimilarly-shaped springs, and is especially d esired on thesemi-ellipticsupporting-springs of locomotives and tenders. Such springsare usually provided with a stout metallic band, which closely embracesthe spring transversely at its center, and inasmuch as the center of thespring requires a broad firm hearing on the journal-box or other part ofthe truck the said band was formed of the required Width to afiord sucha bearing. Such a construction, however, binds the spring to such adegree as to partly deprive it of its elasticity.

The object of my present invention is to obviate said defect; and tothat end the invention consists, essentially, in-the combination, with asemi-elliptic or analogous elongated laminated spring, of a narrow bandembracing said spring transversely and a bearer connected to said bandand projecting from the sides thereof and out of binding-contact withthe spring, all as hereinafter more fully described, and set forth inthe claims.

In the annexed drawings, Figure 1 is aside view of a semi-ellipticspring embodying my improvements. Figs. 2 and 3 are transverse sections,respectively, on lines w 00 and 3 y in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detachedisometric view of the bearer, which is employed in connection with thenarrow spring-band. Fig. 5 is a side view showing said bearer attachedto or formed directly on the journal-box of a truck-axle. Fig. 6 is aside .view of my improvement as employed for a suspensory-support. Fig.7is a transverse section on line 2 z in Fig. 6, and Fig. 8 isaiongitudinal section on line 0 o in Fig. 7.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

5 denotes the semi-elliptic spring, composed of a series of leaves inthe usual and wellknown manner, and 1) represents the metallic bandwhich closely embraces said spring transversely at its center. This bandI form as narrow as possible but consistent with the strength requiredof said band, the reduction of its width being compensated for by anincreased thickness of the band, in connection with this narrow band Iemploy the bearer e, consisting of a plate considerably wider than theband to obtain the necessary broad seat for the spring. Saidbearing-plate may be formed of either pressed or dropforged steel oriron or malleable casting, and in some cases it may be formed directlyon the journal-box on which the spring is to be mounted, as representedin Fig. 5 of the drawings. In either case the bearing-plate c is formedwith a recess or groove d across its center, and in said recessis seateddirectlyv the band I), which is held firmly in its position by thevertical walls of the recess. The recess d is of such a depth as to format opposite sides thereof the seats e 6, upon which the spring rides.These latter seats terminate with flanges c c, which abut againstopposite sides of the spring, and thus prevent lateral displacement ofthe spring on the bearing-plate, the longitudinal displacement of thespring being prevented by the band 12, confined in the recessed seat d,as before described.

By the bearings e e the spring receives a.

broad bearing equal to that afforded by the broad so-called butt-bandheretofore applied to springs of this character, and at the same timethe narrow band I) obviates binding the spring and impairing theelasticity thereof.

Then a suspensory-support is to be connected to the center of thespring, I extend the flanges across the sides of the spring and makethem of sufficient length to cause them 'to project beneath the spring,where I perforate them for the reception of a bolt t, as

shown in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings. To the said bolt is connectedthe usual hanger h.

It will be observed that the described bearer, with its flanges, iswithout binding-contact with the spring, and does not interfere with theelasticity thereof.

Having described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is

1. In combination with the spring 3, the bearing-plate 0, formed withthe recess d across its center, and the band I), embracing the springand seated directly on the bottom of said recess, as set forth.

2. In combination with the spring 8, the band b, embracing said spring,and the bearing-plate 0, formed with the recessed seat 01 for the bandand with seats 6 e for supporting the spring at opposite sides of saidbandseat, as set forth.

3. In combination with the spring .9, the

band b, embracing said spring, and the bear EDWVARD CLIFF. [L.

WVitnesses:

THOMAS FEENEY, R. G. REYNOLDS.

